Ridgefield NWR.

It was a gorgeous morning up at Ridgefield today.  The air was cool, the breeze was nice, and the birds were out and about like it was springtime. 


I was most surprised to find a Western Tanager flitting about in the trees...


In the same area were a couple of Black-headed Grosbeaks, a handful of House Finches, and an adorable young Swainson's Thrush who seemed to have no idea that he was supposed to hide from my camera.


I am pretty sure I was the first to hit the refuge this morning which always has its advantages, like increased chances of seeing non-bird wildlife. 


Back to birds... I don't often post photos of starlings, so this little fella should feel quite honored:


I just love his or her little splash of shimmery green.  A pop of color, if you will.

Tree Swallow

I watched a Marsh Wren take a dust bath in the middle of the road.  It was pretty cute. 


Shorebirds were abundant.  They were also far away.  From what I could tell it was mostly dowitchers, Greater Yellowlegs, sandpipers, and Killdeer, not to mention oodles of Wilson's Snipes...


 In a blackberry bush towards the end of the loop were a male Red-winged Blackbird, a juvenile blackbird, and a yellowthroat.  Kind of funny to see them next to each other (though out of focus)...


That was about it for the refuge.  On the home front, my Eurasian Collared-Dove population has DOUBLED.  Now there are two.  I have named them Bill & Ted.


 
Good times!!

Comments

  1. I'd like to be the first to say: It looks like Bill and Ted are having an excellent adventure. Hardy-har-har. So cool that you have them visiting!

    A very nice sequence of Ridgefield pics. There's always something nice to see there.

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    1. Ha! Yes Bill & Ted are having excellent adventures... Though I just realized I named that poor duckling I found Ted. I am not creative with names apparently.

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  2. A pop of green, Flycatcher Jen? Perhaps I will...perhaps I will.

    Thats a funny looking Swainson's, kinda reminds me of Veery.

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    1. A SPLASH of green. A POP of color. GET IT STRAIGHT.

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  3. Solid. I've idea what or where Ridgefield is, but so seem to be its boss. Way to boss Ridgefield; great shots.

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  4. Great shots, love all non-birds! The dust bath is too funny! Sounds like a great mix of shorebirds too!

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  5. Stellar Coyote shot!!! Wow!!! Man, I wish I got out birding half as often as you do :-) Nice work...

    Western Tanager is a good bird for Ridgefield! Was this on the River S Unit? I would expect it at the Carty Unit.

    Great birding and photography, as always.

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    1. Yep, the River S. Don't usually see them past spring there... And wait, isn't your job essentially birding? I wish I got paid for it, so there!

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  6. awesome wildlife shots in this post Jen and the Birds too of course...Glad you have good weather here is Scorching hot!

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  7. Awesome photos and birds, Jen! I have been missing your posts and I am catching up on my blog reading. I wish I had time to visit Ridgefield, we did ride past the exit.

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